Recipe: Pernil Asado Estilo Chino-Cubano (Roast Pork Cuban Chinese Style)

This is a fusion dish greatly preferred not only in Cuba but also in Puerto Rico.

PERNIL ASADO ESTILO CHINO-CUBANO
(ROAST PORK CUBAN CHINESE STYLE)
Yield: 8 servings

1 pork loin (4 1/2 to 5 lb)
3 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp sherry
2 tbsp hoisin sauce
1/4 cup mashed cooked black beans
2 tbsp five-spice powder
2 tbsp minced garlic
3 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup honey, mixed with
1/4 cup boiling water, for basting
The culinary influence of the many Chinese laborers who flocked to Cuba in the mid-19th century can be seen in this roast pork dish, which mixes those beloved Cuban black beans with Asian seasonings.

Preheat oven to 425'F. Rinse pork and pat dry. Place on rack in a roasting pan and fill bottom of pan with 1" of water. In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, sherry, hoisin sauce, black beans, five-spice powder, garlic and sugar.

Mix well. Coat pork loin with mixture, rubbing meat all over until the mixture is used up. Roast pork 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 325'F. and cook 1 - 1 1/2 hours, basting every 15 minutes with honey and water mixture.

When done, remove from oven and let cool clightly. Transfer to serving platter.

Serves 6-8.
Source: MICHAEL ORCHEKOWSKI/ 08-09-95